9th and 10th grade

Be a good high school student

·      Take challenging and interesting classes. Preferably classes that are both challenging and interesting

·      Avoid low-quality classes that are “easy As.” Avoid the “GPA game.”

Be involved in activities outside of class (in school and outside of school). Prioritize quality over quantity.

Be curious about college, but don’t get stressed about it

·      Talk to the adults in your life about their college experiences and advice

·      Get familiar with the colleges near you, even going on practice visits

·      If you find yourself curious about a college for any reason, look them up. I use BigFuture, Niche, and Fiske. There’s also US News, Forbes, and others

·      Work to understand the different types of colleges: public vs. private, comprehensive university vs. liberal arts college. Understand that there are lots of overlaps and exceptions.

Work on your time management and organization skills.

Consider a meditation practice.

11th grade

All of the above, plus:

Take a test if you haven’t already. PSAT, SAT, ACT. Don’t make decisions about how many times you will test and whether or not you will submit test scores until you have a test score in front of you.

Make a college mission statement. Be able to explain to yourself and others what you’re looking for.

Put together a “long list” of colleges you might want to apply to. 30-50 schools. Use your mission statement as a starting point. Use lots of resources (navigators, rankings, counselors and teachers, family), but don’t put too much weight on any single resource.  Get on the colleges’ mailing lists.

Talk to your family about money and paying for college.

Summer between 11th and 12th

Make testing strategy. Will you re-test? Will you do test prep? What’s your goal score, and why?

Revise and narrow down your long list to no more than 20 schools. Remember balance:

·      At least one or two schools you’re very confident you’ll be accepted to, with acceptance rates 50% and higher

·      A handful of schools you may or not be accepted to, with acceptance rates in the 21% to 49% range. You probably won’t be accepted to all of these, but you probably won’t be denied by all of them

·      Feel free to apply to schools with acceptance rates below 20% and below, but understand that no one should ever feel confident they’ll be accepted.

Write your Common App essay and draft other frequent supplemental responses

·      Your chosen major

·      Explain your extracurriculars

·      Why you are applying to the colleges you are.

Interact with college on your list. Campus visits, online deep dives, college fairs, introduce yourself to admission staff.

Fall, 12th grade

Understand the types of applications (Early Decision, Early Action, Regular Decision, etc.) and when those deadlines are for each school on your list. Decide if you’ll apply early anywhere. Prioritize those applications.

Get recommendations from counselors and teachers.

Carry out your testing strategy. Decide if you’ll submit scores to test-optional colleges.

Apply for financial aid, with FAFSA and possibly CSS Profile.

Send applications 5-10 days before the deadline. Ideally, apply to four to 10 schools.

Spring, 12th grade

Make your final decision based on acceptances, financial aid offers, and discussions with your family.